Releasing Pet Ducks to the Wild

August 1, 2013

Question: I have some ducks that I would like to find a good home for but am not sure where to start. They have been pets and I don’t want to eat them or risk giving them to someone else who will eat them. I’d like to release them into the wild and am hoping you can advise where I can do this. I’m willing to donate them someplace as long as I know they won’t get eaten. (Mike)
 
Answer: I understand you are seeking a good home for your pets, but releasing domestic animals into the wild is a bad plan and often has disastrous results. Typically, domestic animals depend on humans for food and are ill-equipped to take care of themselves in the wild. When released to the wild, many end up starving to death or falling prey to any number of predators.
 
If the animals do survive, they typically become a nuisance in their new home and may cause damage because they tend to seek out people for food. Domestic animals also compete for resources with wildlife, and in some cases may breed with their wild counterparts which reduces the genetic fitness of wildlife populations. There is also a real possibility of introducing domestic diseases to wildlife that have no immunity. This may cause die-offs, sometimes quite massive ones. In addition to all of this, it is against the law. Any person who willfully abandons an animal is guilty of a misdemeanor under California Penal Code, Section 597s.
 
You might try posting a notice at a local farm or agricultural store because many of these stores regularly sell domestic ducklings. You could also search for petting zoos or small city zoos to see if they may be interested in giving them a good home. If that doesn't work out, try advertising on the Internet. You might also check with local schools and ask friends.
 
Bottom line … you have a number of options to explore in your quest to find a new home for your feathered friends, but releasing them to the wild should not be one of the them. (Thanks to Wildlife Biologist Cristen Langner from Merced for her help with this answer).